Review by Jess Harrison

Writer: Chad Kinkle

Artist: Adam Shaw

Published by Cave in Rock

It’s 1804 in Jefferson County, Mississippi and two men are hung from the bare branches of an old tree.  This is old-west cowboy justice. No trial, no jury, just a lynchin’ and a hangin’.

One of the men, Wiley Harpe, the main protagonist of the story, recounts the tale of how he ended up at this unfortunate end.  Although once you hear his somewhat redundant confession, you can’t help but think that this ending is somewhat justified.

Seven years prior to his hanging, Wiley and his brother Micajah languish in a cell in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Accused of murder, and filled with venomous hatred towards those responsible for their predicament, they know that they may not be the most pious of men, but this is one crime that they actually didn’t commit. Upon their release the two brothers embark on a mission to track down the man who has falsely accused them, and dish out some blood-drenched revenge. 

From the beginning it’s obvious that Micajah is the truly evil of the two, and Wiley the weaker personality who follows his brother extremely blindly.

The plot itself is relatively simple. The Harpe brothers “spread a trail of blood” across the south as they search for the man they seem to blame for all their problems.  I can’t help thinking that they are just making excuses for themselves here, as they are already thieves and villains, and they prove their lowlife status by dragging their poor wives on their mission with them.  Oh, and also Micajah’s sister-in-law, whom he takes when feels like it apparently.  Lovely chap!

Unfortunately, there is nothing particularly likeable about any of the main characters.  Micajah is sadistic and selfish, Wiley weak and easily led, and the women-folk basically cardboard cut-outs of stereotypical suppressed spouses.  However, this is not a story that is trying to create any empathy for it’s characters in my opinion.  Based upon true events, it would be wrong of Kinkle to try and romanticise the brothers Harpe, as they are killing for pleasure; plain and simple.

If the intention is to evoke a feeling of disgust and dislike for Wiley and Micajah then this graphic novel definitely hits its mark spot-on.  The atmosphere is harsh and cruel throughout, and the stark black and white illustration suits this perfectly.  I feel that it would lose some of its potency if the blood splattered across the pages was depicted in colour. 

There are occasional instances of dark humour, if you can find humour in a serial killer’s actions; and I did find myself chuckling, if somewhat inappropriately, at various points.  However, the reader is never allowed to forget that at the heart of this story are two basically “bad” men.  This point is driven home most effectively by Micjah’s reaction to Wiley’s child crying whilst they are on the run.  It’s bad enough that all three female characters have to travel whilst pregnant and then give birth in jail!  But the fate of poor Wiley junior (the babies are never actually given names) is truly the most heinous crime committed by either of the Harpe brothers.  And Wiley proves just how spineless he truly is by his extremely pathetic response to this.

This is not an easy graphic novel to read, so don’t embark upon it thinking you’re going to get anything resembling a good ol’ boy cowboy story.   I don’t think this will be to everyone’s tastes, and may generate a rather controversial response from the more faint hearted, but it definitely succeeds in shattering the modern-day conception of serial killers being charming and slick.

Rating: 6 out of 10 (Slightly Above Average) 

Harpe: America’s First Serial Killers carries a Diamond Code of SEP090728 and ships this November.

More information can be found at the website: www.harpegraphicnovel.com